It’s remarkable what a difference a couple of weeks makes. A little more than two weeks ago, I sat in the Bootjack Picnic Area with my coffee and laptop, relaxing after a loop around some trails, lamenting the quiet. Most Januaries, the sound of water can be heard in the creeks and brooks on Mt. Tam. That afternoon, there was only silence and many of the creeks were either dry or a mere trickle. There was even a severe fire danger alert in effect throughout the park. More than twenty inches of rain from last weekend’s storm changed that and the change is stunning. Cataract Creek between Laurel Dell and Alpine Lake is especially wonderful as the waterfalls and cascades are renewed. Fresh grasses and wildflower sprouts are finally beginning to replace the brown dead growth. Get out there and revel in this soon because the forecast looks to be on the dry side…and don’t forget, in spite of the recent rain and snowpack in the Sierras, we are still in a drought.

Cataract Creek above Alpine Lake

Signage near Alpine Lake

Wild mushrooms along Cataract Trail

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About victorvolta

I am a freelance photographer/writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I grew up in the very suburban city of Santa Clara. Education: San Jose State University (class of '84) BA degree in Journalism with concentrations in Photojournalism and English. Favorite Foods: Ribeye steaks and Stan's Doughnuts (separate plates, usually). Favorite Drinks: Strong gourmet coffee and Trader Joe's Blood Orange Italian Soda (separate cups).